The Paw Print
Week of February 21 , 2021
We Love Our Students
7th and 8th Grade Return March 1, 2021
Frequently Asked Student Questions
The following video answers students' most asked questions about returning to school. (Special thanks to Ms. Frye and the incredibly awesome students and staff of MBMS for their contributions.)
Joe Corbi Fundraiser to support MTSS
We’re about halfway through our Joe Corbi fundraiser and we need your help!
Did you know? …
- Every item ordered will help us reach our ***GOAL***
- Every item ordered will help your child reach their individual goal for this event
- You can help us spread the word about our fundraiser simply by registering your child
Just go to: joecorbi.com
Click on “Participant Registration”
Use our Org ID # 3852 - You can get an instant coupon of up to 50% OFF your first item ordered just by helping us reach out to some of your friends and family who could support us on behalf of your child
- Your coworkers may also want to help. Don’t forget to share your printed brochure with them or if you’re not going to see them in person — add their email addresses when you’re registering your child!
Every order gets us closer to our goal. Proceeds will go to support our students through our MTSS program.
We truly appreciate your help!
Dates for Students Return to MBMS
Tuesday, February 16: Grade 6 (Hybrid)
Monday, March 1: Grades 7 & 8 (Hybrid)
All safety protocols will continue (masks, social distancing, cleaning). See below.
Please note that all visitors to the building must have an appointment. We require 100% ID check for anyone entering the school building. When arriving for appointments, please have identification. Thank you for your cooperation.
SMCPS Communications
MBMS Return to School Plan
Students, Parents, and Guardians
The following is a reminder from earlier in the fall.
The group of students returning to school on Monday and Wednesday will be referred to as the Burgundy Group, and the Tuesday and Thursday group will be referred to as the Gray group. These indicate our school colors and will allow us to continue to use A and B days for our specials. Our special area classes (band, music, art, PE, general music) will meet as follows:
Monday and Tuesday- special area A day classes will meet
Wednesday and Thursday - special area B day classes will meet
In other words, the Burgundy group will have their in-person A day special on Monday and their in-person B day special on Wednesday.
The Gray group will have their in-person A day special on Tuesday and their in-person B day special on Thursday.
6th Grade Students- Return the week of February 16
Burgundy Group: Students with last names beginning with A-Lic
Come to school on Mondays/Wednesdays
Gray Group: Students with last names Lin-Z
Come to school on Tuesdays/Thursdays
7th Grade Students- Return the week of March 1
Burgundy Group: Students with last names beginning with A-Jameson
Come to school on Mondays/Wednesdays
Gray Group: Students with last names Jenkins-Z
Come to school on Tuesdays/Thursdays
8th Grade Students-Return the week of March 1
Burgundy Group: Students with last names A-Kennedy
Come to school on Mondays/Wednesdays
Gray Group: Students with last names Kern-Z
Come to school on Tuesdays/Thursdays
Hybrid or Virtual Learning Selections
6th Grade Assistant Principal: Kelly Kent kakent@smcps.org
6th Grade Counselor: Elizabeth Ripple ejripple@smcps.org
7th Grade Assistant Principal: James Peeler jmpeeler@smcps.org
7th Grade Counselor: Courtney Towne cltowne@smcps.org
8th Grade Assistant Principal: Marissa Frye mmfrye@smcps.org
8th Grade Counselor: Cara Barger cdbarger@smcps.org
Currently, the MBMS teachers are planning to open Google Meets for virtual students to attend class daily with the hybrid students via the computer. This will allow virtual students to hear and see the instruction. Please be aware that teachers will be instructing students in-person M-Th, and simultaneously instructing students virtually for every lesson will be challenging. Virtutal students can email their teachers any questions they may have. However, please understand that emails will most likely not be answered immediately since the teacher is actively conducting class. Fridays will be the day when teachers will be expected to provide interactive time with students as we have in the past. Again, I ask for your patience and grace as we navigate how to balance virtual and hybrid learning models to meet the needs of all individuals.
Safety Protocols
The health and safety of our students and staff is our primary focus. Working with the St. Mary's County Health Department, SMCPS has the following protocols in place for student and staff safety when entering school buildings.
- Hand Washing: Promoting frequent hand washing throughout the day, especially before and after meals.
- Physical Distancing: Emphasizing increased spacing in the building and in classrooms with fewer students in spaces, including a hybrid A/B schedule.
- Cleaning: Cleaning and disinfecting facilities, buses, with an emphasis on frequently touched areas.
- Face Coverings: Wearing masks during the school day and on buses.
- Hand Sanitizer: Providing hand sanitizer and hand sanitizing stations, as appropriate, with at building entrances and in classrooms and shared spaces.
- Training: Providing ongoing training on COVID-19 prevention practices, including social distancing and face-covering use. Signage and ongoing communication will supplement and reinforce training
Face Coverings
As our students return, all students and staff will always be required to wear face coverings during the school day. Students and staff may provide for their own face coverings or be issued a disposable face-covering each day.
“Face Covering” is defined as a covering constructed with multi-layered fabric (2 layers or more) that fully covers a person’s nose and mouth and is secured to a person’s head. Loosely folded fabric, bandana-style coverings, t-shirts pulled up to cover the mouth/nose, and “gators” are minimally effective and are not included as a “Face Covering”.
Bus Locator
Here Comes the Bus
Parent Drop off and Pick Up Procedures
***COMPASS and SAIL students will be dropped off in the parking lot behind the school
PARENT AM DROP OFF AND PM PICK UP
The map below indicates the parent drop-off/pick-up route. Please enter from Rt. 5 and turn right traveling through the parking lot past the tennis court/basketball court. The line will then follow along the sidewalk next to the brick Park and Rec building and turn in front of the school in front of the cafeteria. Once directed by a staff member, students will exit their cars on the sidewalk side of the vehicle. They should then proceed into the cafeteria and sit on one of the designated spots until dismissed to classes. Students should not leave their vehicle until indicated to do so by a MBMS staff member. Morning drop-off will begin at 7:30 AM.
Additionally, this process will be followed in the afternoon but in reverse. Students will be called to the cafeteria at 2:40. Once a staff member has verified the parent's ID, the student will be called from the cafeteria to their car.
An attached form is for parents to complete. This will indicate to us who needs to be dismissed from class for the afternoon parent pickup. Please complete and return to Ms. Kirby rgkirby@smcps.org
Please be patient. This process can take a few extra minutes until everyone understands and becomes familiar with the process.
Supplies and Computer Usage
School Issued Computers
If your child has been issued an SMCPS computer, they should bring it along with the charger when they come to school each day. Students without a computer will be issued an SMCPS device during homeroom on the first day they return to school.
BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE
Although MBMS has enough SMCPS laptops for each student, families/students may choose to bring their own personal computer to school and not use the SMCPS computer. Students/parents should be aware that SMCPS will not be able to provide IT support for software or hardware issues for personal devices. Information for connecting personal devices can be found at https://www.smcps.org/dss/its/connecting-online.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
- Computer and charger (students should charge their computer nightly, please bring the computer and charger to school each day)
- 1 Five subject notebook
- 5 folders w/pockets
- Pencil box (pencils, pens, highlighter, scissors, glue stick, sharpie)
Parent Notifications from Schoology
Great Resources on our Media Center Schoology Page
Access Code for Students and Parents
JTJN-VRP3-SWR8F
Parents: Please complete the form granting your child permission to read YA Permission Form:https://forms.gle/aWkqG49UN8W3W1Xi8
Need Assistance with Student Technology
The following informaiton is provided for parents/students who may be experienceing problems with student issued computers or computer applicaitons.
HelpDesk Procedure
Parents and students should contact the SMCPS HelpDesk through the HelpDesk phone number or the HelpDesk email to open a ticket for any issues they have with their SMCPS device or applications.- Phone Number: (301) 710-5935 Option 1
- Email Address: helpdesk@smcps.org
- Technical Support Hours: Monday - Friday | 7 AM to 4 PM
Preparing for Academic Success
Parent tips for virtual learning
Encourage your child to turn their video camera on
Set up a spot for virtual learning
Free from distractions
Contains a plug for charging
Materials for school are accessible
Camera is turned on so that the teacher can assess engagement.
Take advantage of help offered
Stay on the google meet while completing the assignment
Attend individual and/or small group help sessions with the teacher
Send an email or google meet chat to the teacher asking for help
Take quick breaks when needed or time allows
Get up and eat a snack and get a drink
Walk outside to check the mail.
Stretch or quick exercise
Review progress on schoology
Log on together in the evenings to be sure work was submitted
Check grades
See what is upcoming
Make a list of assignments due or print the weekly agendas from teachers
COVID-19 Data
A chart is also provided for your reference that reflects the number of identified COVID-19 positive cases in SMCPS by school by week.